My husband filled the I-134 when each of us were in our countries and sent it to me by mail before the interview at the Embassy. So I am going to let him explain you everything there is to know about it and give you some advice. Also, there is a reason why I do not talk yet about the form I-864 (which is also for the affidavit of support). It is because there is a difference between the two forms.

The person applying for the K1 visa has to sign a form saying that they will not become a public charge which basically means no public assistance from the government. It includes things like welfare, food stamps… those are the two common examples. In light of that, the person applying has to have a source of income which is not from the government. As they cannot work when they first arrive and that the process is long and kind of expensive, the K1 applicant will need a source of income. So the I-134 is a form filled out by the U.S citizen in this case, saying that he will financially support the K1 applicant so that they do not become a public charge. It is similar to affidavits of support for other visas, you have to have a sponsor. To have your affidavit of support be approved by the USCIS, you have to have an income greater than 125% of the federal poverty line. In our situation, I did not have enough income reported on my federal tax return for 2015. So I required co-sponsors, which for me are my parents. Essentially, this allows us to report all three of our assets. You need a separated affidavit of support form and tax return for previous years for each sponsor and co-sponsor as well as a form being a contract between the sponsor and the co-sponsor(s). The form is really short and simple so long as it is your first time applying, that you have your tax returns and that nobody is following you in this process (so that it is for one applicant only, that is to say the wife or husband).

The I-134 is a simpler form and is required to be brought to the interview for your K1 visa. They might not ask for it but they could. For the AOS, you will only need the I-864. Know that the I-134 is less official than the I-864 because you commit to support you fiancee, which is not yet your wife.

→ But if your in-laws are the persons filing it or if they file it too in addition to the U.S citizen (so one form for each parent, who therefore are the sponsors for the Affidavit of Support), the relationship to Sponsor is going to be “Fiancee of son” or “Future daughter-in-law”.

Other part of the form which can be problematic/ D’autres parties du formulaire peuvent etre problèmatiques :

When are you considered as Wholly Dependent and when are you considered as Partially Dependent?

This uses the definition used for taxes. I explain : A person who would be wholly dependent would be a child as they legally cannot work to support themselves and they are still dependent on their parents for taxes.

The way I understand that part of the form is that it can apply to you only if you have a certain agreement with the person you are sponsoring, for example an allowance, rent only, school only.. It wouldn’t apply to a fiancee or spouse. So if it is not the case, cross the answer “do not intend to make specific contributions to the support of the person(s) named in item 3”.

Hello. At the US Embassy in Paris, the affidavit was not actually mandatory. We had it completed with a cosponsor but it was never asked for. My understanding is that this is normal – the interviewer may ask about your financial situation but the affidavit is not mandatory at this time. It becomes mandatory when you are attempting to adjust your status to permanent resident and at that time you are perfectly able to have a cosponsor. I have seen that other people have had issues with the affidavit and cosponsors in China, Indonesia, and a few other countries. I have never heard of this being a problem in Paris, though. So yes – they are allowed! 🙂

Very interesting! Seems I still can fight my “denied” case. Well, not denied, but they requested to show $100K which we dont have. Thats why I’m moving case to paris. Hope they will accept our co sponsor.

Do you know what is the reason Paris embassy is so cool to applicants? is it because a french person very unlikely will become a public charge cz we have better welfare system in france?

Just to clarify – you’re talking about a US Embassy in Bangkok, right? 100k is an obscene amount! The amount required here and stated on the website of the USCIS is 125% of the poverty level, which for a household size of 2 amounts to about $25k.

The I-134 form is not legally binding and I think the embassy in Paris knows this. Co-sponsors along with any declared income/assets are not legally declared until the I-864. I’m not suggesting to lie on the I-134, but to us it would seem that the purpose of the I-134 is primarily to help the embassy “judge” if you will be capable of financial security or not. In a way it’s a very unofficial document!

I can’t speak for the thought process of any government officials, but….well I’m sure French people are a very, very low percentage of welfare recipients here!

If it’s not too much of an ordeal, I definitely would recommend you try in Paris instead

Thanks, fingers crossing
well my fiancee income was more than 125%, but Bangkok CO did not accepted self-earned income, showing in bank statement we presented, so assets in cash they want is 125% for 2 ppl x 5=$100K++, thats the formula. we only had ~$20K cash. we clearly have very good financial plan and both are self suffisent, i make descent money remote anywhere in the worls, and i dont wanna sell my property, just to fit unreasonable requirement of bangkok CO (i tought about selling my property cz i need my visa badly, i cant spend another year w/o my love). they are very cranky, they rejected co sponsor (our mom) with huge income, if i only would’ve know, i would’ve never attend my interview there.

After finding this article I feel not so insecure and going to Paris soon and they agree to transfer me there. YAy! I feel like its worth to try Paris and work it out